The Atal Foundation Volleyball Tournament, set to commence on December 15, has recorded wide participation from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, pointing to a steady rise in grassroots-level volleyball activity in the region. Players from Diglipur, Katchal, Nancowry Island and several other parts of the archipelago have reached the venue to compete in the tournament.
Organisers said that a total of 30 teams have registered so far, including 18 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams. While the turnout of women’s teams has been viewed as encouraging, players and individuals associated with the event noted that increased participation from women’s teams would help strengthen the competitive framework and ensure broader representation.
Atal Foundation President Azizur Rahman has called on teams from various islands to complete their registrations before the December 11 deadline. He stated that prizes for winning teams are expected to provide additional motivation, particularly for young players.
Participants said tournaments of this scale offer an important competitive platform for players and play a key role in motivating athletes by providing opportunities to display their skills. They added that interaction with teams from different islands helps raise playing standards and contributes to the development of a stronger competitive culture.
In preparation for the tournament, practice sessions have intensified at the ground, with regular morning and evening training currently underway. Local children have also been attending daily practice sessions. Trainers observed that consistent use of the improved facility has resulted in sustained engagement among aspiring players.
The competition will feature both men’s and women’s teams, most of whom have been training for several weeks, with preparation becoming more structured and rigorous over the past month.
A woman player from Nancowry Island told The Wave Andaman that her team has been training regularly for the past 15 days, practising daily from the afternoon till evening to improve performance ahead of the tournament.
Commenting on the development of the venue, Jeev Bhaskar Rao, a member of the organising team, acknowledged institutional support in upgrading the ground. He said assistance from the Director of Sports played a key role in developing the facility, followed by a significant contribution from the Atal Foundation.
The tournament is expected to provide a major competitive platform for volleyball players from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
